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6 Details Every Bride Should Know When Choosing a Wedding Photographer

October 17, 2017

When everything about your wedding is said and done, the only remembrance you’ll have are the memories of your big day forever captured in beautiful photographs. That’s why it’s essential to hire a wedding photographer who will not only deliver results you expect, but also exceed in every aspect of capturing the romantic nuances of your wedding. Choose wrong, and you’ll be stuck with photos you will regret the rest of your life. You can prevent this from happening by carefully screening your choices. Here are six tips to help you achieve your image capturing objectives.

1. Find the Right Style
Every couple has a distinct character that sets them apart from everyone else. It’s the wedding photographer’s job to show a side of these two people in a flattering light. With that being said, it’s vital to choose a style that compliments you and your significant other. You can go for fine art, documentary, editorial, moody, or edgy style for your photos. Your chosen method will be the basis for finding the right photographer who fits your preferences.

2. Review Your Budget
After choosing an individual style and look for your big day, it’s always wise to make an extensive assessment of your budget for wedding photography. Since these photographs are an heirloom that will last your entire life, it’s best to invest a little bit more to ensure its quality. If you are limited by budget, don’t worry because there are still a lot of credible and dependable wedding photographers who provide a very enticing rate for their services. What’s important is you don’t go overboard with your finances in this aspect.

3. Check Availability
Wedding photographers are always on the go these days. Most of these photographers’ schedules are booked during June, August, September, and October. These months are also known as the primary wedding season, in which most couples choose to get married. Their calendars fill up quickly with meetings, engagement sessions, and wedding dates, among others. Before you make any final decisions, make sure your wedding date is an available one for your photographer. Keep that date open until you get to our next step.

4. Set Up a Meeting and Review Details
Once you’ve settled on the photographic style you want, a wedding date and corresponding budget, it’s time to set up a meeting with candidate photographers. The first meeting will tell you almost all of the things you need to know about this person or team of photographers. For starters, review every detail of the services offered. Iron out time and rate details. At the same time, confirm service details before, on, and after your wedding day. That includes reviewing their sample albums, how they interact with people, and the overall quality of the service they’re offering you.

5. Compare Features and Benefits
Investing your hard-earned money in a wedding photographer is not easy. That’s why it’s crucial to have several options. Narrow your list down to three photographers, and list each pro and con. If you have a spreadsheet, you can create a comparison table of features and benefits of your first, second, and third choices. After assessing the advantages, and downsides, of each candidate, choose the photographer who makes you feel most comfortable.

6. Get a Signed Agreement
Once you have chosen your wedding photographer, one necessary element is a signed agreement or contract. This piece of paper should contain every agreed upon service detail of your wedding photographer. A signed agreement protects you from service errors and clarifies the responsibilities of the parties involved, should something unwanted happen during the photographer’s service. After both sides sign on the dotted line, you can now congratulate yourself for accomplishing an important aspect of your big day.